Desire Unexpected

by S. J. Maylee

  “Before we go tonight, we need to discuss the potential problem.” Gavin sipped from his fresh drink. “I no longer believe they’re just a gang trying to extend their reach.”

  “You’ve confirmed they’re in the trade?”

  “Unfortunately, I have and they’re not being discreet either.” Max placed his cell in the center of the table.

  “Fuck me. Is that the back of McGinley’s?”

  “It sure is and those aren’t just Glocks and Berettas. They had several submachine guns. I even saw a few rifles. When the fourth guy came out, they closed up shop and took off.” He flipped through a few more pictures and stopped on a close up.

  “Is that the guy?”

  “It is. He had control of the team. They each made quick work of his directives. Just wish I recognized him.”

  Gavin took more time to examine the photo, but no more clues were revealed.

  “Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to follow them, but I’ve got my team watching. We’ll be ready to follow their next shipment.”

  “Good.” Gavin rubbed his chin. “Something about this whole setup is off. You still haven’t heard any whispers from our friend in the Department of Justice?”

  “No, nothing from the ATF.” Max sat back in his seat. “We had our usual night out last week and he said no new players.”

  “Let’s make sure that remains true.” Gavin flattened his palms on the table. “Thanks for handling all the recon on this. All right, that’s it for tonight. See you next week.”

  They each pounded twice on the table and rose. Aidan went to find Terry and Max took off. Ethan walked out with Gavin. The two stood near the curb, just out of the downward glow from the newly lit street lamp.

  “Thought you were going to have another talk with Aidan about hiring a team?”

  “My dad went off on him about it on Sunday, figured he could use the rest of the week off.”

  “Damn. Old Lochlan Clery does not take it easy on you boys.”

  “No, he does not, but his advice has kept me alive more than once and I believe you can say the same.”

  “True my friend.” He cracked his knuckles and flexed his fingers. “I would have been lost without all you Clery boys after Brooke died.”

  Aidan walked out the front door of Nevin’s and joined them in the dark. “Terry’s never seen the blonde before and she paid with cash. She came in when they opened and left shortly after I brought her to the bar. I asked him to call if he sees her again.” He walked past them and when Ethan turned, he couldn’t find him.

  His driver stopped the car in front of them.

  “We’ll find a way to get through to Aidan.” He took a step toward the car and stopped. “I might have an idea, but I need to think on it a bit.”

  Chapter Two

  Nadia reached her desk the following morning in time to catch a call from the administration office.

  “Mr. Wright has requested a lunch meeting with you today. You’re to meet him at the Art Institute precisely at twelve o’clock.”

  “Okay.” She swung around and wrapped herself in the telephone cord. “Should I meet him out front or maybe in the lobby?”

  “He said you’d know where, but if you don’t, I can ask him.”

  “No, no, I know. Thank you.” He must want to see her again at the windows, their place. They had a place.

  “I’ll tell him he can expect you. Don’t be late.”

  She hung up the phone and twirled around. After tripping over her feet and pulling the base of the phone from her desk, she landed on the floor in a fit of giggles.

  A large thump, most likely the morning mail bin landing on the desk behind her, brought her back to earth. Noticing the sad pair of faded black pants she’d picked to wear today pushed her further into her reality. She rubbed at a patch of lint around her knee. Undoubtedly, he’d be in another fabulous suit.

  Here she thought she’d bombed their first meet. She thought for sure she’d get fired today, but instead she had a lunch date at their spot. She stood and sauntered with her shoulders back and a shake to her hips. After picking up the mail bin, she twirled around and got to work.

  Thankfully she had plenty to do that morning, but now she was running later than intended. She wanted to be on time, a skill her parents impressed on her to practice.

  Her parent’s didn’t help her financially anymore, but her dad always made sure she had a membership to the Art Institute. He believed life moved too fast. He wanted his kids to stop and enjoy its treasures. Every couple of years he bought her a two year pass for her birthday. At first, she considered selling the membership, but the safe haven it gave her made it into a priceless gift.

  After running up the steps to the entrance, she passed the general admission line and showed her pass.

  “Welcome, Ms. Duskin. The windows are open for you.”

  “Thank you,” she said tentatively, but kept moving.

  Once she entered the hallway along McKinlock Court, she slowed her stride and then halted in the entrance to their room. Not a soul could be seen. In fact, the room was eerily quiet. She crept in, looked around, and finally sat on the bench, picking at her nails. He cancelled. She knew it. It hadn’t occurred to her to check her messages when she arrived back from her morning mail delivery.

  “Haven’t you ever been to a private showing?”

  “Whoa.” She pressed a hand over her heart. “Where did you come from?”

  “I’ve been right here waiting for you.” He walked around her, handsome as ever in his slick dark gray suit and presented her the room. It was a simple invitation, but the art was the last thing on her mind. “I thought clearing the room would allow us an opportunity for a closer look.”

  “How did you pull it off and at lunch time no less?” She followed him.

  “My membership level offers me a few extra perks.”

  “Do you have a Fellow membership? I’ve never known someone with one.”

  “I’m not sure they have a name for my level.” He kept an even distance from her, always just out of reach. “Which pane is your favorite?”

  “I don’t have a favorite.” She made her way to the left side of the exhibit and strolled along to each pane, occasionally looking back to observe him. She couldn’t figure him out.

  “There must be something you can share.” He opened his suit jacket and slipped his hands in his pockets, so relaxed, so assured.

  “Interesting choice of words, Mr. Wright. I’d like to say the same to you.”

  “Ladies first.” His left eyebrow rose.

  “All right.” She had a feeling it wouldn’t be the first time she let him have his way. “I have favorites on each, from the fiddle, to the musician, to the bright sun, and then the dancers over here. To be honest, I enjoy them all. It’s the pieces that make it whole. So simple and so complicated. Together they are complete.” She turned to him and found him watching her. “Sorry, I got lost there for a minute.”

  “Don’t be. I enjoy experiencing things from a different perspective. We each bring our view and it can shape our experience.” He stopped in front of the left pane and reached out toward the window and into the blue rays shining through the stained glass.

  “What do you see?”

  “It changes for me.” He moved his hand to the left, the blue glow changed to white, then green and red. After moving again, it changed back to blue. “Right here, I sometimes see a mother holding her child and other times I don’t see it at all.”

  She stepped closer. “This is her hair. I see it. I don’t think I ever noticed it before.” She tilted her head. “Very observant. I have a glass orb at home. Its colors remind me of the windows.” She turned toward him and found him unnervingly close. His kissable lips became her focus. Would his kisses be tender or demanding?

  “You want to get out of here?”

  “Where do you want to go?” She pulled her gaze from his lips and found his hazel eyes trained on her. She felt like a magnet wa
s calling her home.

  “I thought we’d find my favorite food truck.”

  “You didn’t enjoy mine?” Her hands landed on her hips.

  “In truth, no and I’m seriously considering sending you to a cardiologist. That heavy food isn’t good for you.”

  “It’s not, but I do enjoy indulging.” She followed him out of the room.

  He chuckled. “You’re going to be trouble.”

  “Interesting, because that’s what my instincts tell me about you.”

  As they made their way out of the institute they kept observing one another. No questions were asked, but a series of smiles were shared. Her nerves settled until she realized he’d led her to another black car.

  “You should know I’m a nice girl.”

  “Sure you are.” He opened the door for her. “I think you’ll have to convince me.”

  She stepped to the door, but held it open instead of getting in. “What about you convincing me you’re a nice guy?”

  “I doubt that’s possible.” His light eyes darkened. “Are you getting in?”

  She got in instead of listening to his warning and chose the far edge of the car. They remained quiet as they crossed town. The world seemed to flash by. Finally, they turned a corner and a taco truck came into view. He got out first and reached back for her hand. She squeezed tight, as he pulled her from the car. Warmth radiated from his hand. The moment was over in a second. They made their way to the truck and perused the menu.

  “Tacos? I wouldn’t have guessed this to be your favorite.”

  “What were you expecting?”

  “I’m not sure I want to answer that.” She turned to the menu. “What’s good here?”

  “The fish tacos are very good, but the tamales are the best I’ve ever had. They’re light and full of flavor.”

  “How about you order and I’ll find us a place to sit.”

  “Sounds good. There should be a table back in there.” He pointed to the courtyard of the neighboring high-rise.

  She wound her way through the paths of evergreens and trees. The far side of the area had a few empty tables. She picked the one that allowed her to watch for him.

  Sun shined through the trees, kissing her cheeks. She took a deep breath. He was just a guy. There was no reason to keep him on a pedestal. Being rich alone was no reason for it, but then she remembered he was her boss and ultimately responsible for her paycheck.

  He came around the corner of the truck holding a tray and made his way to her. A breeze blew through and a chill ran up her spine. She was in way over her head and on a quick road to losing her heart. What was she doing?

  “I got a couple chicken and a couple pork tamales.” He set down the tray and she busied herself with setting out the plates of food, napkins, and plastic forks. He pulled bottles of water from his pockets.

  “It smells delicious.” She pointed to a cup and a wrapped item still on the tray. “Is that milk?”

  “It is and the other item is for later.” He set the tray aside.

  After unwrapping a tamale, she picked up her fork. The thin layer of masa was soft and the inside was packed with meat and sauce. First, she tasted the creamiest corn and then an explosion hit her full on. She coughed twice and he handed her the milk.

  “Are you trying to kill me?”

  He didn’t answer and simply laughed.

  She slapped his hand and took another sip of milk. “That wasn’t funny.”

  “No, but I had no idea you were such a wimp.”

  “Then why did you order the milk?”

  “Dessert, the other thing your truck didn’t have.” His eyebrow raised and her thoughts went right into the gutter. “What was that thought?”

  “Oh, there’s no way I’m telling you. Not after you burned me with your tamale.”

  He spit out his food and she burst into a fit of giggles. Once they calmed down and she uncapped the tiny tub of sour cream he’d fetched for her, she took another bite.

  “These really are delicious. I’ve never seen the masa so thin and so much filling.”

  “The truck owner told me, it’s his grandma’s recipe.”

  “Grandmothers are the best cooks.” She scooped another bite and admired it first. “I’ve learned a few tips from mine, but they’re mostly cookie recipes.”

  “She sounds like a sweet lady.”

  “The sweetest. Tell me something about your family.” When he remained quiet, she changed her question. “Or you could share where you got your love for the arts.”

  “My father was the curator at the Art Institute. I’ve been walking the halls there all my life.”

  “That’s amazing. What a way to grow up. You never considered a career in the arts?” She took another bite of her tasty sour cream covered tamale.

  “There were times I considered following in my father’s career path, but things changed for me a few times and I developed skills in other areas.”

  “I’m glad you brought it up because I have no idea what we do at work.”

  “And you think I know?”

  “Smart ass.” She tapped on his foot.

  “Okay. I’ll tell you one thing that no one knows.”

  “I’m listening.” She leaned forward.

  “The line items on our contracts are not literal statements.”

  “What?”

  He shrugged his shoulders and got up from the table, taking their finished plates to the trash can.

  “That makes no sense.”

  “I promised one thing, not that it would make sense.” He sat and flashed her a smile full of charm. “Meet me again tomorrow?”

  “Okay.” She narrowed her eyes wanting to change the subject and ask him a question burning a hole through her thoughts. “Why me? And please give me an answer that’s not so cryptic.”

  “I like you, Nadia.” He set aside his water bottle. “I like how I feel when I’m around you. I had a feeling we’d get along after yesterday.”

  “I like you too.” A cozy glow wrapped around her.

  “I must warn you though. There’s a lot about my life I can’t share with you.” His finger traced a groove in the table. “If we can keep the rest of the world out, I want to spend more time with you.”

  His request for privacy didn’t surprise her. It was the one thing she knew well about him. There were some things he just didn’t share and at the moment she no longer cared to know the reasons. She wanted to spend time with him for as long as she could. “We’re going to need a hand signal.”

  “Why?”

  “For when I see you and you can’t talk. You give me a signal and I’ll know everything’s okay.”

  “Okay.” He laughed, but then a cute scrunch appeared between his eyes. “How about I rub my chin, like this?” He rubbed back and forth with his knuckle.

  “And then I’ll look at my feet.”

  “Your feet? You amuse me.” He shook his head and chuckled.

  “Good. I’m glad we got that settled.” She slapped her hands on the table. “Lunch tomorrow?”

  “Sure. There’s another food truck I think you should try.”

  “It’s not sushi, is it?” A shiver ran up her spine.

  “Not tomorrow, but now I have to find one for us to try.” His silly expression warmed her all over.

  “Us?” They shared a bright smile that filled her from within.

  “Can we continue to meet at the Art Institute? I can leave word at the entrance so you don’t have to pay.” His comment reminded her of their difference in station. It shouldn’t matter and it bothered her that she kept thinking about it.

  “No, that’s all right. I mean, yes.” She shook her head. “I mean, I can meet you there and I have a membership. Sorry, sometimes I remember who you are and I get all nervous.”

  “Well, cut it out.” He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “We are just two people enjoying each other’s company, right?”

  “Sure, I guess.”

  �
�I want to spend more time with you.” He took hold of her hand. His thumb caressed back and forth. “When it’s just us, we can take a break from our responsibilities.” He let go of her hand, reached for the covered dish, and revealed chocolate covered strawberries. He selected one and held it to her lips.

  “That sounds too good to pass up.” She kept her gaze on him as she enjoyed a juicy chocolate bite.

  Chapter Three

  The following couple of weeks they had lunch together almost every day. A few minutes in front of the windows and then they’d find a new food truck. They followed a simple set of rules Ethan had insisted upon, it all started with no personal questions. They didn’t talk about work. They didn’t talk about family or friends. They didn’t talk about politics either.

  She thought they’d have problems finding things to talk about, but he wouldn’t budge. If she wanted to continue with their visits, she had to plan by his rules. Their talks were about nothing and everything at the same time. She was having the time of her life except for one thing. She wanted to know his touch.

  His contact with her was always brief and she was becoming desperate for more. A feeling she knew would land her in trouble. It hadn’t stopped her from encouraging him though. She handed him a fork last week and her fingers stroked over his. The moment lasted all but a second. She caressed him ever so lightly, letting her touch linger for a moment, hoping he’d let down his guard. It was quite possible she was making the connection where there was none.

  Yesterday, he was quieter than their pervious dates. She feared something heavy was weighing on his mind and she couldn’t help, couldn’t break through the wall he’d erected. They hadn’t invited the world to their lunches, but it seemed to be finding its way in.

  Everything about their situation reminded her that flirting with the boss was a bad idea. She had no business wanting more from him. The only thing he ever offered was enticing conversation, a cheap lunch, and his easy smile.

  She stopped her empty mail cart at the coffee station and looked over her shoulder, certain she’d seen Ethan step behind her. I’m losing it. She shook it off and grabbed her mug from the bottom shelf of her cart. She stood abruptly, this time certain she’d heard something. “Who’s calling my name?”